TQS III // ELEMENT C

TQS III Element C

Teachers plan and deliver effective instruction and create an environment that facilitates learning for their students.

Teachers integrate and utilize appropriate available technology to engage students in authentic learning experiences.

AI Hybrid Animals (Prismacolor Lesson)

In this 7th/8th grade visual arts lesson, I integrated technology to enhance creativity and student voice by guiding students through the process of using AI image generators to design original hybrid animals. This activity aligned with Visual Arts GLE VA.8.3.3, which emphasizes the use of media to express and communicate personal ideas and meaning. Rather than ending with digital output, the AI images served as a springboard for a traditional 2D drawing project, where students would reinterpret and render their chosen hybrid animal in colored pencil using Prismacolor materials.

We began by discussing the creative potential and ethical considerations of AI-generated imagery. I emphasized the importance of using AI responsibly, with a mature and intentional mindset, especially given the sometimes unpredictable nature of these tools. Students brainstormed combinations of animals and thoughtfully refined their prompts to generate six unique hybrid designs. This process sparked rich dialogue around authorship, originality, and the evolving role of technology in the creative process.

After generating their images, students selected their favorite concept and uploaded it into a PowerPoint presentation in Schoology, which allowed for structured submission and provided a space to reflect on their choices. These presentations not only helped students develop digital organization and communication skills but also served as a reference point for their upcoming colored pencil illustrations.

By blending digital exploration with traditional drawing methods, this lesson reflected TQS Three, Element C, as it utilized available technology to create a meaningful, student-centered experience while supporting artistic growth through hands-on media. The students were deeply engaged, and their excitement to bring their hybrid creatures to life on paper demonstrated the power of integrating tech in ways that amplify rather than replace traditional art practices.